Confections X Collections (CxC) is an event that celebrates African fashion and gastronomy. Taking place in November 2023 at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, the event will showcase intimate salon-style fashion shows featuring distinguished designers from Southern and Western Africa. The hotel’s pastry chef will also create designer-inspired sweets to elevate the traditional afternoon tea experience. CxC highlights the significance of intentional and thoughtful design, promoting quality, sustainability, and cultural importance.
African Fashion Takes Center Stage
This November, the esteemed Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel in Cape Town, will indulge aficionados of both fashion and gastronomy with an exclusive, immersive experience. The annual event, Confections X Collections (CxC), is set to occur from 8 to 12 November 2023, offering a graceful fusion of designer fashion shows and custom-made sweet treats.
Spanning five days, CxC will host intimate salon-style fashion shows that highlight the exceptional work of distinguished designers from Southern and Western Africa. The event underscores the significance of intentional and thoughtful design, mirroring the principles of quality and sustainability.
This year’s CxC roster features an extraordinary lineup of designers, such as Cape Town’s Chu Suwannapha, affectionately known as the “Prince of Prints,” representing his brand Chulaap. Sindiso Khumalo, another Capetonian and internationally celebrated designer, will also appear at the CxC event. Khumalo is an esteemed recipient of the prestigious 2020 LVMH Prize.
A Melting Pot of African Designers
Accompanying these accomplished designers are Bubu Ogisi of IAMISIGO, a Nigeria-based fashion house committed to upholding ancestral textile techniques; Adeju Thompson, the inventive founder of Lagos Space Programme; and Palesa Mokubung’s Mantsho, a Johannesburg-based brand acclaimed for its daring, print-focused garments deeply rooted in African indigenous culture.
In harmony with the event’s fashionable component, Mount Nelson’s pastry chef, Vicky Gurovich, will join forces with each designer to produce unique confections that elevate the hotel’s traditional afternoon tea experience. These designer-inspired sweets will not only satisfy the taste buds but also offer a visual spectacle, echoing the artistry displayed on the CxC runway.
The event’s organization is a product of a collaboration between Mount Nelson and Twyg, an independent magazine centered on the crossroads of fashion and sustainability. Twyg’s founder and editor, Jackie May, articulated her excitement for the event, noting that it has been an honor to be involved since its beginning. May also expressed her eagerness to showcase homegrown talent, as well as the inclusion of two West African slow-fashion designers, applauding their dedication to supporting their artisans and promoting African fashion.
Mount Nelson: A Hub for Artistic Expression
Tiago Moraes Sarmento, Mount Nelson’s general manager, also stressed the value of highlighting Cape Town’s lively creative spirit, which encompasses the arts, fashion, and culinary wonders. He believes that pushing Africa’s top fashion designers is just one method to showcase the city’s flourishing artistic community.
As the distinguished hotel gears up for its 125th anniversary in 2024, Mount Nelson reinforces its position as the cultural epicenter of Cape Town. The hotel intends to introduce an annual series of celebratory events spanning the fields of arts, design, gastronomy, and fashion. These events will further fortify Mount Nelson’s legacy in the city, preserving its reputation as a center for artistic and cultural expression.
Confections X Collections (CxC) not only applauds the expanding universe of African fashion but also offers an unforgettable experience for attendees. The harmonious mix of intimate fashion shows and designer-inspired desserts guarantees a memorable occasion for all who participate, leaving them with a more profound appreciation for the artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural importance behind each designer’s vision.
[Updated on 01.11.2023]: Due to visa complications, Nigerian-based Bubu Ogisi of IAMISIGO and Adeju Thompson, founder of Lagos Space Programme will no longer be showing. In response, the much-anticipated event will see an update to the show line-up, with the introduction of celebrated local designers Wanda Lephoto and Lezanne Viviers of Viviers Studio.
Confirmed dates:
- Wednesday, 8 November: Wanda Lephoto
- Thursday, 9 November: Viviers Studio
- Friday, 10 November: Sindiso Khumalo
- Saturday, 11 November: Mantsho
- Sunday, 12 November: Chulaap
Time: 11am and 3pm
Cost: R995
Book: 021 483 100
What is Confections X Collections (CxC)?
Confections X Collections is an annual event that takes place at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, celebrating the fusion of African fashion and gastronomy. It features intimate salon-style fashion shows with distinguished designers from Southern and Western Africa, as well as custom-made sweets created by the hotel’s pastry chef to elevate the traditional afternoon tea experience.
When will the next Confections X Collections (CxC) event take place?
The next Confections X Collections event will take place from 8 to 12 November 2023.
Where will the Confections X Collections (CxC) event take place?
The Confections X Collections event will take place at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.
Who are some of the designers that will be featured at the Confections X Collections (CxC) event?
Some of the designers that will be featured at the Confections X Collections event include Chu Suwannapha of Chulaap, Sindiso Khumalo, Bubu Ogisi of IAMISIGO, Adeju Thompson of Lagos Space Programme, and Palesa Mokubung’s Mantsho.
What is the cost of attending the Confections X Collections (CxC) event?
The cost of attending the Confections X Collections event is R995.
How can I book a ticket for the Confections X Collections (CxC) event?
Tickets for the Confections X Collections event can be booked by contacting the Mount Nelson Hotel at 021 483 100 or emailing [email protected]
What is the significance of the Confections X Collections (CxC) event?
The Confections X Collections event highlights the significance of intentional and thoughtful design, promoting quality, sustainability, and cultural importance. It also celebrates African fashion and gastronomy, showcasing the exceptional work of distinguished designers from Southern and Western Africa.
What is the Mount Nelson Hotel’s plan for future events?
As the distinguished hotel gears up for its 125th anniversary in 2024, Mount Nelson plans to introduce an annual series of celebratory events spanning the fields of arts, design, gastronomy, and fashion. These events aim to further fortify Mount Nelson’s legacy in the city, preserving its reputation as a center for artistic and cultural expression.
